You can try creating any object like namespace or so and try checking the YAML output using the command you will get an idea if SSA is enabled or not.
Command :
kubectl create ns test-ssa
Get the created namespace
kubectl get ns test-ssa -o yaml
If there is managedFields existing in output SSA is working.
Server-side-apply i think introduced around K8s version 1.14 and now it's in GA with k8s version 1.22. Wiht GKE i have noticed it's already been part of it alpha or beta.
If you are using the HELM on your GKE you might have noticed the Service Side Apply.